Scots dealers get revised Kia Soul 05 | 10 | 2011
KIA HAS INTRODUCED its new updated Soul. Starting at £12,495, the new Soul is on-sale now across Kia's Scottish dealership network.
Boasting two new trim levels, six-speed transmissions come as standard across the range which is now offered in 1 and 2 specifications, plus limited-edition Hunter and Quantum versions.
One 1.6 diesel and one 1.6 petrol engine is available for the urban crossover. The new direct-injection petrol GDi develops 138bhp, which is an increase of 14bhp on the previous 1.6-litre. The modified turbodiesel CRDi has 126bhp and is available with an optional six-speed automatic.
The diesel isn't a slouch, covering the 0-60mph 'sprint' in 10.3secs; it also returns 57.6mpg and its CO2 emissions fall by 8g/km to 129g/km.
The petrol version covers 0-62mph in 10s and returns combined economy of 44.1mpg. CO2 emissions are 149g/km.
At 4120mm long, all new versions of the Soul are 15mm longer than before to accommodate the new powertrains under the bonnet.
Soul 1 now has body-coloured door handles and mirrors and a top-tinted windscreen, while Soul 2 gains surrounds around its front foglights, 16-inch alloy wheels and folding electric door mirrors containing indicator repeaters. The interior boasts a redesigned and more upmarket centre fascia, centre console and gearshifter.
Read our road test of the new Kia Sportage
In addition to the standard electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, the 2012 versions get vehicle stability management and hill-start assist control.
Soul 1 gains Bluetooth with voice control, and sun visors with illuminated mirrors in addition to remote audio controls, electric mirrors, body-coloured door handles and a top-tinted windscreen. Soul 2 has new 16-inch alloys, unique upholstery and folding mirrors.
The Hunter and Quantum special editions build upon the Soul 2 specification by adding metallic paint, LED daytime running lights, an uprated stereo system, heated door mirrors and privacy glass to the rear windows and tailgate. Cruise control is standard on automatic versions and will feature on manual versions from the end of the year.
Hunter also gets 18-inch alloys, an electrically operated sunroof and a colour reversing camera, which displays inside the rear view mirror. It is available in metallic green, with a beige and tartan interior, or metallic blue with black tartan upholstery.
Quantum is available in metallic silver and comes with 18-inch black five-spoke alloy wheels, black bumper inserts and chrome exterior door handles. The interior gets black leather upholstery, heated front seats, climate control and reverse parking sensors.
Prices for the Hunter edition start from £15,095 for the GDi version, while the Quantum variant starts from £15,595.
See more photographs of the 2012 Kia Soul
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Jim McGill